Don’t mess with the news image

A recent edition of Utah’s Standard Examiner featured a page one photograph that was manipulated by the photographer. Often photographers, as appears in this case, aren’t aware how simple manipulations undermine the value of photojournalism as bearing witness. As photographers, amateur or professional, we need to be aware of the difference between illustration and photojournalism. I am not necessarily against manipulation of images but in the area of news and photojournalism it is definite ethical breach.

Photojournalists need to know this, educators need to teach it and the media and public need to demand it.